| article_content"> | | | | carbon is absorbed by the stomach and enters |
| Helicobacter pylori can be detected using urea | | | | the blood stream. From there it goes to the lungs |
| breath test. This is a simple test to diagnose the | | | | and is ultimately eliminated from the body in the |
| presence of bacteria in the stomach. Thus, it can | | | | form of carbon dioxide through breath. |
| also be used to exhibit the effectiveness of | | | | The patient has to swallow a capsule with a |
| antibiotics. Urea breath tests are the preferred | | | | carbon isotope (carbon 13 or carbon 14). The test |
| form of Helicobacter pylori tests and highly | | | | that involves use of non-radioactive isotope |
| endorsed by medical society guidelines, because | | | | carbon 13 is called 13C Urea Breath test. When |
| they are non-invasive in nature and don’t | | | | samples of exhaled breath are collected, the |
| involve any complications. There are two types of | | | | quantity of the isotopic carbon is measured using |
| urea breath tests — 14C and 13C based. | | | | an analytical instrument. The carbon 14 is |
| While 14C is radioactive, 13C is not and therefore | | | | measured by scintillation. Normally, pre and post |
| completely safe. This will be discussed in detail | | | | dose samples of the breath are taken with a gap |
| later on. | | | | of 15 minutes between them. The pre dose |
| Urea breath tests don’t lead to | | | | sample is considered the base line reading. The |
| unnecessary treatment by antibiotics that can | | | | detection of carbon in the breath indicates |
| cause antibiotic resistance to build up. Serology | | | | presence of H. pylori in the stomach. The patient |
| tests, on the other hand, are incapable of | | | | is advised not to eat anything or take any |
| distinguishing between inactive and active bacteria | | | | medicines at least 6 hours prior to the test as this |
| and thus, may lead to unnecessary treatment. In | | | | can alter the results. |
| fact, with serology tests, approximately 1 in 5 | | | | This particular Helicobacter pylori test allows for |
| patients is diagnosed incorrectly. | | | | easy follow-up after treatment that leads to |
| Normally, urea is eliminated from the body | | | | better patient management. The only problem of |
| through urine but H. pylori have the ability to | | | | this test is that it is not available widely. |
| break down urea into carbon and nitrogen. This | | | | |